Sutera plant named ‘DANCOP15’

ABSTRACT

A new and distinct  Sutera  plant named ‘DANCOP15’ particularly characterized by having 5-petalled flowers, measuring about 1.7 cm in diameter and white in color with a yellow-orange throat; vigorous growth which maintains a trailing, compact growth habit; early flowering response, suitable for use with hanging basket planters, combination planters and ground cover under full sunlight-and slight shade.

Latin name of the genus and species of the claimed plant: Suteracordata.

Variety denomination: ‘DANCOP15’.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a new and distinct cultivar of Suteraplant, botanically known as Sutera cordata, hereinafter referred to bythe cultivar name ‘DANCOP15’.

Sutera, of the Scrophulariaceae family, consists of annuals which aregrown in most climate zones in the U.S., and only in zones 9 and 10 ifit is a perennial plant.

The new Sutera cultivar is a product of a planned breeding programconducted by the inventor, Gabriel Danziger, in Moshav Mishmar Hashiva,Israel. The objective of the breeding program is to develop a new Suteravariety with medium, white-colored flowers, yellow-green colored leavesand a trailing, compact growth habit.

The new Sutera cultivar originated from a cross made in a controlledbreeding program by the inventor in 2003, in Moshav Mishmar Hashiva,Israel. The female or seed parent is a Sutera cultivar designated‘CV-2-6’ from our breeding program (unpatented). The male or pollenparent is Sutera cultivar designated ‘OP3’ from our breeding program(unpatented). The new Sutera cultivar ‘DANCOP15’ was discovered andselected by the inventor, Gabriel Danziger, as a single flowering plantwithin the progeny of the stated cross in a controlled environment inMoshav Mishmar Hashiva, Israel.

Asexual reproduction of the new Sutera cultivar by vegetative cuttingswas first performed in April of 2004 in Moshav Mishmar Hashiva, Israel,and has demonstrated that the combination of characteristics as hereindisclosed for the new cultivar are firmly fixed and retained throughsuccessive generations of asexual reproduction. The new cultivarreproduces true to type.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The following traits have been repeatedly observed and are determined tobe unique characteristics of ‘DANCOP15’, which in combinationdistinguish this Sutera as a new and distinct cultivar:

-   -   1. 5-petalled flowers, measuring 1.7 cm in diameter and white in        color with a yellow-colored throat;    -   2. Yellow-Green foliage;    -   3. Trailing, compact growth habit;    -   4. Early flowering response; and    -   4. Suitable for use with hanging basket planters, combination        planters and ground cover under full sunlight-and slight shade.

Plants of ‘DANCOP15’ differ from the plants of the female parent,‘CV-2-6’ in flower and leaf color. Plants of ‘DANCOP15’ produce whiteflowers with yellow-green foliage whereas plants of ‘CV-2-6’ producelavender flowers with green foliage.

Of the many commercial cultivars known to the inventor, the most similarin comparison to ‘DANCOP15’ is the Sutera cultivar ‘Golden Leaves’(unpatented). The new cultivar is distinguishable from ‘Golden Leaves’in flower color and growth habit. The flower color of ‘DANCOP15’ iswhite and its growth habit is compact, whereas ‘Golden Leaves’ flowersare lavender and it is more vigorous.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The accompanying photographic drawings illustrate the overall appearanceof the new Sutera cultivar ‘DANCOP15’ showing the colors as true as isreasonably possible with colored reproductions of this type. Colors inthe photographs may differ slightly from the color value cited in thedetailed botanical description which accurately describe the color of‘DANCOP15’.

FIG. 1 shows a side view perspective of a typical ‘DANCOP15’ plant in ahanging basket at 3 months.

FIG. 2 shows a close-up of typical flowers and leaves of ‘DANCOP15’.

DETAILED BOTANICAL DESCRIPTION

The new Sutera cultivar ‘DANCOP15’ has not been observed under allpossible environmental conditions. The phenotype of the new cultivar mayvary significantly with variations in environment such as temperature,light intensity, and day length without any change in the genotype ofthe plant.

The aforementioned photographs, together with the followingobservations, measurements and values describe the new Sutera cultivar‘DANCOP15’ as grown in a greenhouse in Moshav Mishmar Hashiva, Israel,under conditions which closely approximate those generally used incommercial practice.

Color references are made to The Royal Horticultural Society ColourChart (R.H.S.), 2001 edition, except where general colors of ordinarysignificance are used. Color values were taken under daylight conditionsat approximately 12:00 noon in Moshav Mishmar Hashiva, Israel. The ageof the plant described in 2 months.

-   Classification:    -   -   Botanical.—Sutera cordata.        -   Commercial.—Sutera Scopia™ Golden Leaves White.-   Parentage:    -   -   Female or seed parent.—Sutera cultivar designated ‘CV-2-6 ’            from our breeding program (unpatented).        -   Male or pollen parent.—Sutera cultivar designated ‘OP3’ from            our breeding program (unpatented).-   Optimal growth conditions:    -   -   Light intensities.—Full sunlight or slight shade.        -   Temperature.—Day: 20° C. to 24° C. Night: 16° C. to 20° C.        -   Temperature tolerance.—Tolerant to a low temperature of            about 10° C. and tolerant to a high temperature of about 30°            C.        -   Fertilization.—A balanced fertilizer with level of 100 ppm            Nitrogen.        -   Growth regulators.—Unnecessary.-   Propagation:    -   -   Type.—Tip cuttings of side shoots.        -   Rooting habit and description.—Easy to root.        -   Time to initiate roots.—About 7 to 10 days at 18° C.        -   Time to produce a rooted cutting.—About 14 days at 18° C.-   Plant:    -   -   General appearance and form.—Height: 10 cm. Spread: 30 cm.        -   Shape.—Trailing, compact growth habit.        -   Winter hardiness.—Hardy in moderate climate.        -   Vigor.—Strong.        -   Strength.—Good.        -   Crop time.—About 8 to 10 weeks for a flowering pot.        -   Fragrance.—None.        -   Branching habit.—Vigorously branched.        -   Lateral branches.—

TABLE 1 Branch characteristic Primary Secondary Length 30 cm. 12 cm.Diameter 2 mm. 1 mm. Internode Length 2 cm. 1.5 cm. Texture Slightlyrough Slightly rough Pubescence Present Present Color Yellow-Green, RHSYellow-Green, RHS 145B 145B

-   Foliage:    -   -   Arrangement and attachment.—Opposite, petiolate.        -   Leaf length.—1.8 cm.        -   Leaf width.—1.2 cm.        -   Overall shape of leaf.—Elliptic.        -   Apex shape.—Acute.        -   Base shape.—Acute.        -   Margin.—Dentate.        -   Texture (both surfaces).—Slightly velvety.        -   Pubescence (both surfaces).—Slightly present.        -   Color of upper surface.—Mature leaf: Yellow-Green, RHS 144A.            Immature leaf: Yellow-Green, RHS N144A.        -   Color of lower surface.—Mature leaf: Yellow-Green, RHS 144B.            Immature leaf: Yellow-Green, RHS N144A.        -   Venation.—Pattern: Pinnate. Color: Upper surface:            Yellow-Green, RHS 144A. Lower surface: Yellow-Green, RHS            144B.        -   Petiole.—Length: 4 mm. Diameter: 1 mm. Color: Yellow-Green,            RHS 144A.        -   Leaf fragrance.—None.-   Flower description:    -   -   Natural flowering season.—All year round in moderate            climate. Flowering occurs year round outdoors in Israel.        -   Flowering response time.—About 4 weeks from planting.        -   Flowering longevity.—On the plant: Flowering of a single            flower lasts for 7 days.        -   Flower fragrance.—None.        -   Quantity of flowers and buds per plant.—Approximately 200.        -   Flower bud about 2 days prior to opening.—Shape: Spatulate.            Length: 11 mm. Diameter: 5 mm. Texture: Velvety. Color:            White, RHS 155C.        -   Flower type.—Solitary, auxillary.        -   Flower form.—Salverform.        -   Flower symmetry.—Bilateral.        -   Orientation at opening.—Slanted upward and outward.        -   Corolla size.—Diameter (spread): 1.7 cm. Diameter at lobes:            17 mm. Overall flower height: 11 mm. Length of corolla tube:            8 mm. Diameter of corolla tube: 1 mm.        -   Petals.—Quantity: 5. Length: 6 mm. Width: 4 mm. Overall            shape: Oval and gameopetalous. Apex: Rounded. Base: Fused.            Margin: Entire. Texture (upper & lower surfaces): Slightly            velvety. Color: Upper surface, when opening: White, RHS            155C. Upper surface, opened flower: White, RHS 155C. Lower            surface, when opening: White, RHS 155C. Lower surface,            opened flower: White, RHS 155C. Corolla throat color:            Yellow-orange, RHS 17C.        -   Calyx.—Sepals: Quantity: 5. Length: 4 mm. Width: 1 mm.            Overall shape: Linear. Apex: Acute. Base: Fused. Margin:            Entire. Texture: Upper surface: Velvety. Lower surface:            Velvety. Upper surface color: Yellow-Green, RHS 145A. Lower            surface color: Yellow-Green, RHS 145A. Anthocyan            pigmentation of calyx limb: Absent. Pedicel: Aspect: Slanted            upward. Length: 8 mm. Diameter: 1 mm. Angle: About 45° .            Texture: Velvety. Color: Yellow-Green, RHS 145A.-   Reproductive organs:    -   -   Androecium.—Stamen: Number: 4. Arrangement: Didynamous.            Type: Basifixed. Dehiscence of stamens: Extrorse. Color:            Yellow-orange, RHS 17C. Anthers: Shape Cylinder. Length:            1 mm. Color: Yellow-orange, RHS 17C. Filaments: Length:            About 9 mm. Color: RHS 155A, white. Pollen: Amount:            Moderate. Color: Yellow-orange, RHS 17C. Pollination            requirements: Young flowers, vital pollen, and receptive,            open stigma.        -   Gynoecium.—Pistils: Quantity: 1. Length: About 11 mm.            Stigma: Shape: Undulate. Width: About 0.5 mm. Color:            Yellow-Green, RHS 1D. Style: Shape: Terete. Length: About            8 mm. Ovary: Shape: Ellipsoid. Position: Superior. Length:            About 2 mm. Width: About 1 mm. Color: Green-Yellow, RHS 1B.-   Seeds:    -   -   Quantity per fruit.—About 20.        -   Shape.—Elliptic.        -   Length.—1 mm.        -   Width.—0.5 mm.        -   Texture.—Rough.        -   Color.—Greyed-orange, RHS 164A.-   Fruit:    -   -   Type.—Capsule.        -   Shape.—Ellipsoid.        -   Length.—About 4 mm.        -   Width.—About 2 mm.        -   Texture.—Rugose.        -   Color.—Greyed-orange, RHS 164B.-   Disease/pest resistance: No information is currently available.-   Disease/pest susceptibility: No information is currently available.

1. A new and distinct Sutera plant named ‘DANCOP15’, substantially asillustrated and described herein.